Can You Actually Stay Sober Without AA?

I eat mushrooms a couple of times a year; Steve would never think of such a thing. Once in a while, I’ll make a stupid bet with a friend or play cards; Steve has a gambling problem so he won’t bet a nickel or even play solitaire. I get to define my own sobriety because my sobriety means almost nothing to you compared to what it means to me. He and I have pushed against our addictions long enough that we have mapped out the entire floodplain. We have placed the sandbags, we have carried the stones. We know the difference between a harmless trickle of water and the precursor to a flood. And we’ve become experts at differentiating between the two because it’s our own selves that are at risk of being washed away.

• It’s also a great support system during difficult times, as the group routinely attends meetings that focus on personal growth and relapse prevention.
• AA does not require you to sign up for anything, nor does AA require the payment of any dues.
• Alcohol and drug addiction is not easy to overcome.
• Well, if she was an alcoholic why would it make sense for me to trust her ideas as to how to work out my program of recovery?

Old photos may help people remember how far they have come and given them the courage to continue down their path of sobriety. Have you thought about joining AA, but do not have transportation to travel to meetings? You could try this technique to find and maintain sobriety. Such resources may supply you with the courage to stay sober. If you do not have internet https://ecosoberhouse.com/ access at home, it is free in many places, including libraries. If you do not feel that AA is the program for you, the internet has many resources and may help people stay sober. Of all the things that support my sobriety, one of the most critical is knowing that there are sober people are all around me, inside and outside formal programs like AA.

Staying Sober Without AA

AA isn’t explicitly religious, but it did grow out of a Christian organization called The Oxford Group. To ensure that all of our content is credible and thoroughly legitimate, it is medically reviewed and fact-checked for complete accuracy. Due to our rigorous sourcing guidelines, we only link to government entities, educational institutions and medically peer-reviewed journals and/or studies. Dual diagnosis (addiction with co-occurring mental health disorder). Show your loved one how to prioritize self-care, eat well, exercise daily, and start filling time instead of killing time.

Plus, their website offers resources including a suggested reading list, blog posts, and other articles and essays. The best part of the program is that they help you to empower yourself to overcome your addictions, which, for some, is a welcome change from traditional 12-Step programs. Many cannot fathom how the organization survived, let alone thrive. These basic principles are certainly part of the reason. However, there is another aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous that truly does make it a special organization.

Find Balance in Your Life

The sober/sober-curious group acknowledges that all of its members do things differently and have different philosophies about drinking. One of their top rules is all about sharing that philosophy without attacking another’s. If you’ve never participated on Reddit, then you might not know just how close-knit and supportive the people you meet online its thousands of “subreddits” can be. Furthermore, exercising is good for your overall health. Expertsrecommend that people participate in at least thirty minutes of moderate exercise every day. Had I not been halfway around the world, in a different time zone and with spotty internet access, I definitely would have checked in with program friends.

This may give them the courage to make it through their days without drinking. Others place encouraging words on their phones, desks, and around their workspaces. They do this to provide constant reminders of how wonderful staying sober the world can be without alcohol. Once people decide to stop drinking, they may choose to attend AA. But, if people do not want to participate in AA or similar groups, they may look for other types of assistance.